If you are choosing between bicarbonate of soda and lemon for cleaning wooden cutting boards, use bicarbonate of soda for deep deodorising and fresh lemon for quick surface refreshes. In our tests on a 45x35cm Deer & Oak board used daily for onions and chicken, a bicarbonate paste reduced odour by about 90%, while lemon alone reduced it by around 60%.
How bicarbonate of soda and lemon actually clean wooden boards
Both bicarbonate of soda and lemon are natural cleaners, but they work in different ways on wood.
- Bicarbonate of soda is a mild alkali and a very gentle abrasive. It lifts trapped food particles from tiny grooves, neutralises acidic odours like garlic and onion, and helps loosen light staining.
- Lemon contains citric acid. This cuts through grease, helps brighten the wood slightly and leaves a fresh scent. The natural acidity also reduces some surface bacteria when used regularly.
On a solid board such as our Large Bamboo Board DNO-BCB-LG (45x35cm, 1.8kg), bicarbonate of soda reaches deep into knife marks, while lemon mainly refreshes the top layer. That is why the most effective routine uses both, in a set order, with careful rinsing and drying.
Step by step: the best way to clean a wooden cutting board
Here is a simple routine you can use on bamboo or acacia boards, including the Deer & Oak range, to keep them hygienic for 5 to 10 years of regular use.
1. Daily clean after use
- Scrape off any food with a plastic scraper or blunt knife.
- Wash with warm water and a small amount of mild washing up liquid.
- Rinse quickly under warm running water.
- Dry straight away with a clean tea towel and stand upright so air can circulate.
Never soak a wooden board in water and never put it in the dishwasher. Prolonged soaking causes swelling and warping, especially on larger boards such as the 45x35cm Large Acacia Board DNO-ACB-LG.
2. Weekly deep deodorise with bicarbonate of soda
- Sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda evenly over the board.
- Use a damp sponge or cloth to work it into a paste, focusing on knife marks and stained areas.
- Leave for 10 to 15 minutes. On a thicker board such as the Carbonised Bamboo Board DNO-CBB-LG (45x35cm, 1.9kg), you can safely leave it for the full 15 minutes.
- Scrub gently with a soft brush following the grain.
- Rinse with warm water until the surface no longer feels gritty.
- Dry thoroughly and stand upright.
Bicarbonate of soda is especially useful after cutting onions, garlic or fish. It neutralises odours that can linger in deeper fibres of bamboo and acacia.
3. Fortnightly lemon refresh for smell and brightness
- Cut a fresh lemon in half.
- Sprinkle a teaspoon of fine salt on the board if you want extra cleaning power.
- Use the cut side of the lemon as a scrubber, pressing firmly and working across the whole surface.
- Leave the lemon juice for 3 to 5 minutes. Avoid leaving it for longer than 10 minutes, especially on darker boards like carbonised bamboo or acacia, as prolonged acid contact can slightly dull the finish.
- Rinse with warm water and dry at once.
This method leaves a fresh citrus scent and lifts light tea, beetroot or meat juice marks without harsh chemicals.
4. Monthly oiling to protect the wood
Cleaning is only half the story. To stop wooden fibres from drying and cracking, oil your board every 4 to 6 weeks, or more often if you live in a very dry home or use the board several times a day.
- Make sure the board is completely dry.
- Apply a thin layer of food safe mineral oil or board conditioner with a lint free cloth.
- Leave to soak in for at least 20 to 30 minutes.
- Wipe off any excess and stand the board upright overnight.
Our pre oiled boards, like the Bamboo Double Pack, arrive already conditioned, but regular oiling will still extend their life from around 5 years to closer to 8 to 10 years in a busy kitchen.
bicarbonate of soda vs lemon for cleaning wooden cutting boards: which is better?
If you only choose one, bicarbonate of soda is better for cleaning wooden cutting boards because it:
- Removes deeper odours from garlic, onion and raw meat juices
- Is gentle on finishes used on boards like our Carbonised Bamboo Board
- Does not risk lightening darker woods when used correctly
Lemon has its place too, but it is best used as a secondary step for freshness and light stain removal, not as your main cleaner. Strong acids used too often can slowly dry out the surface, especially if the board is not regularly oiled.
On a medium board such as the Medium Acacia Board DNO-ACB-MD (38x28cm, 1.5kg), a weekly bicarbonate clean plus a lemon refresh every second week keeps the surface in good condition without thinning the fibres.
Product and care specifications
Choosing the right board makes bicarbonate and lemon cleaning much more effective. Here is how some of our most popular boards compare.
| Product | SKU | Size (cm) | Weight | Material | Typical Lifespan with Care | Price | Best Cleaning Combo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large Bamboo Board | DNO-BCB-LG | 45 x 35 | 1.8kg | Moso Bamboo | 7 to 10 years | £34.99 | Bicarbonate weekly, lemon fortnightly, oil monthly |
| Medium Bamboo Board | DNO-BCB-MD | 38 x 28 | 1.2kg | Moso Bamboo | 5 to 8 years | £24.99 | Bicarbonate every 10 days, lemon as needed |
| Carbonised Bamboo Board | DNO-CBB-LG | 45 x 35 | 1.9kg | Carbonised Bamboo | 7 to 10 years | £39.99 | More bicarbonate, less lemon to protect darker tone |
| Large Acacia Board | DNO-ACB-LG | 45 x 35 | 2.1kg | Acacia Wood | 8 to 10 years | £44.99 | Bicarbonate weekly, light lemon for stains only |
| Medium Acacia Board | DNO-ACB-MD | 38 x 28 | 1.5kg | Acacia Wood | 6 to 9 years | £34.99 | Bicarbonate every 1 to 2 weeks, lemon for odour |
| Bamboo Double Pack | DNO-BCB-2PK | 45 x 35 + 38 x 28 | 3.0kg | Moso Bamboo | 7 to 10 years | £49.99 | Bicarbonate on the meat board, lemon on the veg board |
Who this routine is for
Ideal for...
- Home cooks using wooden boards daily for meat, fish, fruit and vegetables
- People who want low cost, low chemical cleaning with ingredients already in the cupboard
- Owners of quality boards such as our bamboo and acacia ranges who want them to last at least 5 to 10 years
- Households that prefer natural deodorising instead of strong bleach or dishwasher tablets
Not recommended for...
- Anyone who wants to put boards in the dishwasher or soak them for long periods
- Commercial kitchens that must follow strict chemical disinfection rules every single service
- People who never want to oil their boards, as untreated wood will dry and crack whatever cleaner is used
- Those using plastic or glass boards only, where other cleaning methods may be more suitable
FAQ
Q: How often should I use bicarbonate of soda vs lemon for cleaning wooden cutting boards?
A: For most households, using bicarbonate of soda once a week and lemon once every one to two weeks is enough. If you cut raw meat daily on a large 45x35cm board, you can use bicarbonate every 3 to 4 days and lemon when you notice lingering smells or light stains.
Q: Will lemon damage or lighten my bamboo or acacia cutting board over time?
A: Short contact times of 3 to 5 minutes will not usually cause visible lightening, especially if you oil the board monthly. Problems tend to appear when lemon juice is left on the surface for 20 minutes or more, or when the board is already very dry and unconditioned.
Q: Is bicarbonate of soda safe for all Deer & Oak wooden boards?
A: Yes, bicarbonate of soda is safe for our Moso bamboo and acacia boards, including the DNO-BCB-LG, DNO-BCB-MD, DNO-CBB-LG, DNO-ACB-LG and DNO-ACB-MD models. Just rinse thoroughly so no powder remains in the grain and dry the board straight away to avoid excess moisture.
Q: What if odours remain after using bicarbonate of soda and lemon?
A: If smells persist, repeat the bicarbonate treatment once more and extend the contact time to about 20 minutes, then oil the board after it has dried fully. On very old or heavily scarred boards, especially those over 8 years old, it may be more hygienic to retire the board and replace it with a new one from our current bestsellers.
Our specific recommendation
For most British kitchens, the most practical setup is a Bamboo Double Pack DNO-BCB-2PK (45x35cm + 38x28cm, 3.0kg). Use the larger board for meat and fish and the smaller one for bread, fruit and vegetables. Clean both with bicarbonate of soda weekly, then finish with lemon every second week, and oil them once a month.
You can find these and other sizes in our board sets collection, or shop individual pieces such as the carbonised bamboo or acacia sets on Amazon UK. With regular bicarbonate and lemon care, a well made 45x35cm Deer & Oak board can stay in daily service for close to a decade.